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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesSymptoms and signs involving cognition, perception, emotional state and behaviorICD-10-CM r42-dizziness-and-giddiness
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Dizziness And Giddiness: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group R42 includes symptomatic diagnoses such as dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, and giddiness that describe disturbances in balance, spatial orientation, or perception. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical encounters where the presenting problem is a balance or vestibular symptom, capturing symptom severity, duration, or associated features when relevant. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM R42 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM R42: Dizziness And Giddiness Overview

    The diagnoses in this group represent symptomatic descriptions of dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, and related balance disturbances affecting the vestibular or central nervous systems. They target symptoms rather than specific underlying etiologies and are used across ambulatory and acute care settings. Accurate coding matters for clinical documentation and reimbursement because it clarifies the symptom basis for encounters and supports appropriate claim adjudication.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when the primary reason for the encounter is a documented complaint of dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, or giddiness and no more specific causal diagnosis has been established. Select codes that best reflect the documented symptom characteristics, such as vertigo versus nonspecific dizziness, and any noted duration or associated features.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    1 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    R42Dizziness and giddiness

    DRG Codes

    1 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    149Dysequilibrium

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An older adult presents to the emergency department after a brief episode of sudden unsteadiness and spinning sensation while standing, accompanied by nausea but no focal neurologic deficits. The episode resolved spontaneously within an hour, and exam and initial imaging are nonfocal, so clinicians document the symptom complex rather than a definitive vestibular diagnosis; a dizziness/giddiness code is assigned to capture the presenting complaint and guide further outpatient evaluation. Typical codes: R42.
    • A middle-aged patient with long-standing intermittent lightheadedness and sensation of disequilibrium related to orthostatic changes comes to primary care for worsening daily episodes that interfere with work. No clear cardiac or neurologic etiology is identified after office assessment, so the encounter is coded to reflect the ongoing symptomatic problem of dizziness pending further specialty testing. Typical codes: R42.
    • A patient hospitalized for dehydration after a gastrointestinal illness reports persistent feelings of dizziness and near-syncope while mobilizing, complicating nursing care and fall risk. The symptom is documented as an active clinical issue in the inpatient record to justify monitoring and fall precautions, and a dizziness/giddiness code is used to capture the complication impacting the hospital course. Typical codes: R42.

    Related Codes

    R40-SOMNOLENCE-STUPOR-AND-COMA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Somnolence Stupor And Coma: Group Overview

    R41-OTHER-SYMPTOMS-AND-SIGNS-COGNITIVE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Symptoms And Signs Involving Cognitive Functions And Awareness: Group Overview

    R43-DISTURBANCES-OF-SMELL-AND-TASTE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disturbances Of Smell And Taste: Group Overview

    R44-OTHER-SYMPTOMS-AND-SIGNS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Symptoms And Signs Involving General Sensations And Perceptions: Group Overview

    R45-SYMPTOMS-AND-SIGNS-EMOTIONAL-STATE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Symptoms And Signs Involving Emotional State: Group Overview

    R46-SYMPTOMS-AND-SIGNS-APPEARANCE-BEHAVIOR

    ICD-10-CM Code For Symptoms And Signs Involving Appearance And Behavior: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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